Friday afternoon, Lindi Peterson and I drove from Atlanta to the Embassy Suites Hotel in Homewood, a Birmingham suburb, where we met up with Georgia Romance Writer Pam Mason.

That evening we gathered with other writers and readers who had traveled from as far away as Louisiana to attend the event. Publishers Weekly Contributing Editor Barbara Vey was there, along with luncheon speakers Dianna Love and Sherrilyn Kenyon. We had dinner at a cute Greek restaurant and spent the evening talking about books and writing and the publishing industry.

Dianna Love and Debby Giusti

Debby and Christy Reece

Lexi Georgia, Christine Glover and Debby

Author Naima Simone (l) and Debra Glass (r) show off the
gorgeous pillows Naima's mother (2nd from r) made for the ladies at
their table.

The next day we headed to the lovely Harbert Center in downtown Birmingham where Love Inspired author Debbie Kaufman and I hosted a table. My dear friend Julie Muscari sat with us, along with new friends Georgann Cox, Kimberly Callegan and Britney Wyatt. Georgann's mother reads my books but couldn't come to the luncheon so I'm sending a special shout out to her today! I hope we can meet at the luncheon next year. Britney and Kimberly are friends who met on Twitter and then created a website to talk about the books they love to read. Check out their blog: www.living-fictitiously.blogspot.com.

Farrah Gibson won my basket, and Saturday was her birthday.
What a great way to celebrate!

The Southern Magic writers are so wonderful, and it's always a joy to be with them, especially for such a fun event. Thanks to President Heather Leonard and Luncheon Coordinators Lisa Dunick and Katherine Bone for making the luncheon so special!